Ficus sacred (Ficus religiosa) has several more names: Bodhi tree, religious ficus and sacred fig. The evergreen ficus plant belongs to the genus of the same name and is part of the Mulberry family (Moraceae). The birthplace of sacred ficus is considered to be India.
In addition to India, ficus grows in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, in the southwestern regions of China and the islands of the Malay archipelago. At first, the ficus grew only on the plains, in the mixed and evergreen jungle, but gradually began to "make its way" higher and higher into the mountains. Now the plant can be found at an altitude of one and a half thousand meters above sea level.
Ficus sacred was named due to the fact that in ancient times it was these massive trees that were planted near Buddhist temples, and the clergy monks took care of the plants.
Also see how to grow ficus rubber-bearing and ficus benjamin indoors.
The tree is considered a sacred symbol, an assistant in the enlightenment of the Buddha himself - the founder of the religious movement of Buddhism.
According to an ancient legend, sitting just under the crown of the Ficus tree on Prince Siddhartha Gautama, insight descended, after which he began to call himself Buddha and began to preach Buddhism.
The main difference between the religious ficus and the rest of the family is gigantic. Some specimens reach 30 m in height, growing in a familiar home climate. In the Russian climate at room temperature, ficus can reach a height of 3 meters.
Due to its high growth, ficus is mostly planted in large rooms. It is used to decorate concert halls, greenhouses or conservatories. The width of the crown can reach 10 meters, which also does not allow to grow the plant in a small apartment.
The number of aerial roots in young trees is relatively small. Due to the fact that ficus often begins its life as an epiphyte, growing on the branches and trunks of mature trees, gradually its roots become stronger and thicker, and eventually turn into banyan trees.
Another option for the origin of ficus is lithophyte. Ficus finds a place in the crevices of buildings. Some pictures show that the plant, as it were, grows into the temple. After a certain amount of time, the tree tightly braids the building with its roots and practically becomes one with it. In this case, the shoots at first simply descend closer to the ground. And then they penetrate deeper and deeper into the soil.
The growth rate of ficus is quite high.
After a year or two, they already represent a small forest: a large number of thin trunks with one large crown on all. The bark of young trees is light brown in color, with a red tint. This color resembles the branches of a racemose ficus. As the tree grows, the bark changes color. The branches and trunk of an adult plant are gray.
Ficus shoots have a smooth structure and original shape. The surface of the leaves is thin, almost transparent. The length of each leaf, on average, is 8-12 cm. Especially large representatives have leaves up to 20 cm long. The width of the leaves varies from 4 to 13 cm.
The leaves of young ficus have a reddish hue, which eventually changes to light green. If a tree grows in direct sunlight, the leaves of an adult plant acquire a dark green color with a bluish tint. On the surface of each sheet you can see whitish streaks with the naked eye. Stipules are oval. Their length is 5 cm. They fall off when the sheet is fully opened.
Leaf plates are located on the branches in the next sequence. Petiole usually has the same length as the leaf. Sometimes it grows longer. If the ficus grows in a place where the air does not have enough moisture, then the tree changes foliage twice a year.
During flowering, like all other representatives of the family, the Bodhi tree forms syconia - small inflorescences of brown color, very reminiscent of the hemisphere in shape. The average size of the inflorescence is 2 cm.
Sacred ficus is a perennial plant. At home, ficus can live up to 15 years. In an open area, an average tree lives 400-600 years.
| Average growth rate. | |
| Mostly blooms in summer, but the Caribaea species blooms in winter. | |
| The plant is easy to grow indoors. | |
| The bulb can live for many years with proper care. |
Planting and caring for the sacred ficus (in brief)
| Temperature mode | In the summer from 18 to 23 ° C, and in winter not lower than + 15 ° C. |
| Air humidity | Very high. The plant must be constantly sprayed with water. |
| Lighting | Daylight, but without direct sunlight on the plant. At home, sacred ficus is best placed in a room whose windows face east or west. |
| Watering | In summer, ficus requires regular watering - 1-2 times a week with standing water. In winter, watering can be reduced to 1 time in 7-10 days. |
| Soil for sacred ficus | Fertile loose chernozem with good drainage. |
| Fertilizer and fertilizer | Starting in early spring and ending in late autumn, ficus should be fed with liquid fertilizers. It is better to alternate organic and mineral nutrition. |
| Transplant ficus sacred | In February-March, once every 2 years. |
| Breeding | Very simply propagated by seeds and aerial roots. |
| Growing Features | Sacred ficus is easily susceptible to the defeat of various pests. It is worth avoiding the growth of a tree next to diseased plants. The young tree should be kept in a warm comfortable room with plenty of moisture. Otherwise, there is a high risk that the plant will die quickly. |
Caring for sacred ficus at home (in detail)
Sacred ficus is a rather unpretentious plant. It is relatively easy to grow at home. Nevertheless, certain care rules need to be learned so that the tree grows strong and healthy.
Bloom
Flowering a tree is an interesting process. The resulting inflorescences are in the form of an empty pot. Something like brown moss forms on the walls of the pot. The scientific name is siconium or pseudo-fruit. Siconia are arranged in pairs in the leaf sinuses.
Inflorescences, as well as leaves, have a smooth surface. Sacred ficus sacred wasps of a certain type - blastophagous. After pollination, green fruit is formed, which subsequently become purple and maroon. Ficus fruits are not suitable for human consumption.
Lighting
For the full growth and development of the sacred ficus, a bright but diffused daylight is required. You should also avoid direct sunlight. In a slightly darkened place, the tree will also feel very comfortable. The required level of lighting is 2600-3000 lux. Ideal location for the plant - rooms located in the western or eastern part of the apartment.
If the ficus does not receive enough light, the leaves will begin to fall off.
Temperature
Sacred ficus is a thermophilic plant. In the summer, it is recommended to grow a tree at a temperature of 18 to 25 degrees. In winter, you need to make sure that in the room where the ficus grows, the temperature does not fall below 15 degrees. At this time, it is better to increase the lighting of the plant.
Ficus does not need a rest period. Even in winter, it can calmly grow and develop in a room with sufficient humidity and the right temperature. The Bodhi tree should be kept away from batteries and heaters, avoiding drafts and frequent changes of residence.
Air humidity
Natural places where the plant grows are characterized by high humidity. As a result, ficus is used to growing in a humid environment. Quite frequent spraying of leaves is required. For large trees, this method is very difficult, and therefore there are two options for solving the problem.
First: you can place the plant next to the aquarium or other decorative pond. Second: use a humidifier.
Watering
Systematic and fairly plentiful watering is required. It is better to water the plant with settled water. In summer, watering is required 1-2 times a week. In winter, the amount is reduced to 1 time in 7-10 days. In this case, moisture stagnation must not be allowed.
Before each subsequent watering, the soil should dry well. Stagnant water from the sump should be drained. The plant suffers an excess of moisture worse than a lack. Timely watering and care guarantees the development of a powerful root system, which is especially welcomed in the technique and culture of bonsai.
The soil
It is better to plant ficus in fertile loose soil according to the following scheme: 1 part of turf land, 1 part of leafy soil, 1/2 part of sand, you can add a little charcoal. Or 1 part of turf land, 1 part peat, 1 part of leafy land, 1 part of sand (pH 6.0-6.5).
An important component when planting a plant is drainage. Ideal drainage: expanded clay from below and sand from above.
Fertilizer
Ficus is a fairly unpretentious plant that does not require any special fertilizing or fertilizing. Top dressing is produced as standard 2 times a month. To achieve the best result, it is better to alternate between mineral and organic top dressing.
They should contain a large amount of potassium and nitrogen.
Transfer
The Bodhi tree is a fast-growing plant. In a year, a tree up to 2 meters high can grow from a small seedling. In this regard, young trees need frequent replanting (from 1 to 3 times a year).
Ficuses are transplanted usually after the roots of the plant cease to fit in the pot. Mature trees do not require transplanting. It is enough for them to replace the topsoil.
Pruning
Shoots require regular pruning. This is done in order to keep the tree growing and forming a neat crown. Pruning should be carried out shortly before the start of a period of intensive growth. Subsequently, it will be possible to simply pinch the tips of young branches.
In order to form a spectacular crown, you should set the branches in the desired direction. This is done using a wire frame. Ficus shoots are highly elastic, and therefore even a beginner will cope with the task.
Cultivation of sacred ficus from seeds
The easiest and most affordable way to propagate ficus. Seed is sown in a peat-sand substrate and watered abundantly. Then the plant is covered with plastic wrap.
The first sprouts can be seen in 5-7 days. Then the film should be removed in order to accustom the plant to room living conditions. A plant transplant should be made when the first pair of leaves appears. If you take a pot with a larger diameter (10-15 cm), then you can plant several ficuses in it at once.
Cultivation of sacred ficus by cuttings
Sacred ficus with apical cuttings reproduces with great difficulty. To do this, take cuttings 15-18 cm long. At least three pairs of healthy leaves should be present on them. The length of the stalk should exceed the length of the leaves by 2 times. In the spring, cuttings are planted in a greenhouse in a mixture of peat and perlite at a temperature of 25 ° C.
Instead of this mixture, sandy ground can be used. At home, the cuttings are covered with polyethylene. It is better to pre-treat a cut of a cut with root or heteroauxin. Put for germination in ambient light.
The film can be removed after 2 weeks. After the ficus takes root, it is transplanted into a small pot.
Diseases and pests of the sacred ficus
For the most part, the plant is sick if it is not properly looked after. Young shoots require special care. Their stems are thin, and the leaves are small. With any change in temperature, the shoots can die, as well as with a lack of food and the proper level of lighting.
A common problem is dropping foliage of ficus. The plant is so responsive to any change in care.
It should be remembered that ficus leaves can fall on their own. It all depends on the particular tree.
Sacred ficus can be attacked by pests such as mealybug, aphids, scale insects and thrips. In this case, the plant should be chemically treated immediately. Processing should be carried out very carefully so as not to poison yourself.
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